In 15 Seconds
- Means to circulate or spread.
- Used for rumors, news, and currency.
- Implies active movement between people.
- Think 'making the rounds' or 'doing the rounds'.
Meaning
Imagine a rumor or a piece of news traveling from person to person like a current. It describes something—usually information, rumors, or even currency—that is 'doing the rounds' or spreading through a community. Think of it as gossip or a story that's gotten out there and is being passed around, sometimes unofficially.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about local gossip
Hast du gehört, was gerade in der Nachbarschaft `kursiert`?
Did you hear what's currently circulating in the neighborhood?
Discussing economics
Die neue Serie von 10-Euro-Scheinen `kursiert` jetzt in ganz Europa.
The new series of 10-Euro notes is now circulating all over Europe.
A news report context
Gerüchte über eine bevorstehende Fusion `kursieren` seit Wochen.
Rumors about an upcoming merger have been circulating for weeks.
Cultural Background
The 'Flurfunk' (hallway radio) is the German term for office gossip. When something 'kursiert' in the Flurfunk, it's often considered more reliable than official HR emails. In Vienna, coffee houses were historically the places where news would 'kursieren'. Intellectuals would spend all day reading newspapers and passing on rumors. Due to the direct democracy, many 'Initiativen' (initiatives) and drafts 'kursieren' among the public long before a vote happens. In the age of 'Fake News', the word 'kursieren' is often used with a warning tone in German media to indicate that information is unverified.
The 'Es' Trick
Start your sentence with 'Es kursieren...' to sound more like a native speaker when introducing a new rumor.
No People!
Remember: rumors run (kursieren), people walk (laufen). Never mix them up!
In 15 Seconds
- Means to circulate or spread.
- Used for rumors, news, and currency.
- Implies active movement between people.
- Think 'making the rounds' or 'doing the rounds'.
What It Means
Kursieren is a fantastic German verb that means to circulate. But it's not just about physical objects moving around. It's mostly used for information. Think of rumors, news, or even gossip spreading like wildfire. It implies something is actively being passed from one person to another. It has a sense of movement and distribution. It's like a digital rumor mill, but for spoken or written words. It suggests something is 'out there' and gaining traction.
How To Use It
You use kursieren when something is spreading. This could be news, a rumor, or even money. It's especially good for unofficial information. You can say a rumor kursiert or that a particular banknote kursiert in a region. It's a dynamic verb. It shows that something is in motion. It’s not static; it’s actively moving. Use it when you want to emphasize the spread. It’s perfect for describing how information travels.
Real-Life Examples
- A rumor about a company merger is
kursieren. - The new €50 banknote has started to
kursieren. - Whispers about a celebrity scandal are
kursierenonline. - A funny meme is
kursierenon TikTok. - Old legends often
kursierenin remote villages. - False information can quickly
kursierenon social media. - The teacher noticed that a new joke was
kursierenamong the students. - Rumors about a surprise exam were
kursierenbefore class.
When To Use It
Use kursieren when you talk about information spreading. This includes rumors, gossip, or news. It's also used for currency. Think about things that are actively being passed around. If a story is being told by many people, it kursiert. If a new coin is in use, it kursiert. It’s great for describing how ideas or facts travel. Use it when something is 'making the rounds'. It implies a general distribution. It’s a very useful verb for everyday life.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use kursieren for things that are static. If a book is just sitting on a shelf, it's not kursieren. If a person is just standing still, they are not kursieren. It’s not for physical objects that aren't moving between people. You wouldn't say a car kursiert unless it was being passed around like a shared resource. It’s not for official announcements that are sent out once. It's about the spread, not the origin. Avoid using it for personal feelings or thoughts unless they are being expressed and spread.
Common Mistakes
Often, people confuse kursieren with simply 'being' or 'existing'. They might use it for something that hasn't spread yet. It’s also sometimes misused for physical objects that are just moving, not circulating between people.
kursieren in my head.
✓A rumor is going around in my head. (Or: A rumor is in my head.)
kursiert in cinemas.
✓The new movie is showing in cinemas. (Or: The new movie is playing.)
kursieren in this meeting.
✓My ideas are being discussed in this meeting. (Or: My ideas are being shared.)
Similar Expressions
sich verbreiten: To spread. More general thankursieren.Sich verbreitencan apply to diseases or physical things spreading.Kursierenis more about information or currency.im Umlauf sein: To be in circulation. Very close tokursieren, especially for currency. Can also be used for ideas or trends.die Runde machen: To make the rounds. This is a very common and informal synonym forkursierenwhen talking about rumors or news. It's like saying 'it's going around'.gerüchteweise: As a rumor. This is an adverb describing how something is known or spread. It's not a verb likekursieren.
Common Variations
ein Gerücht kursiert: A rumor is circulating. This is the classic combo.die Nachricht kursiert: The news is circulating.das Geld kursiert: The money is circulating. This refers to currency in use.etwas macht die Runde: Something is making the rounds. This is a more colloquial way to say the same thing.etwas ist im Umlauf: Something is in circulation. Very similar, especially for money or ideas.
Memory Trick
Think of a KURS (course) on a river. Information or rumors are like little boats on this KURS. They are kursieren – flowing and circulating along the river's path, from one bank to another, reaching many people. The KURS is the path of circulation! Easy peasy, right?
Quick FAQ
Q. Is kursieren always about rumors?
A. Not always! While it's common for rumors, it also applies to news, ideas, and even currency. Think of anything that spreads widely.
Q. Can I use kursieren for a virus?
A. You'd typically use sich verbreiten (to spread) for a virus. Kursieren is more for information or currency.
Q. Is kursieren formal or informal?
A. It's generally neutral but leans slightly towards informal when talking about gossip. It's perfectly fine in most everyday conversations and writing.
Usage Notes
The verb `kursieren` is generally neutral in formality but leans towards informal when referring to gossip. It's best used for information, rumors, ideas, or currency that are actively spreading or in circulation. Avoid using it for static objects or internal thoughts, where other verbs would be more appropriate.
The 'Es' Trick
Start your sentence with 'Es kursieren...' to sound more like a native speaker when introducing a new rumor.
No People!
Remember: rumors run (kursieren), people walk (laufen). Never mix them up!
Journalistic Style
Use 'kursieren' in your B2/C1 writing exams to describe public opinion or media trends for extra points.
Examples
12Hast du gehört, was gerade in der Nachbarschaft `kursiert`?
Did you hear what's currently circulating in the neighborhood?
Here, `kursiert` perfectly captures the idea of local gossip spreading from person to person.
Die neue Serie von 10-Euro-Scheinen `kursiert` jetzt in ganz Europa.
The new series of 10-Euro notes is now circulating all over Europe.
This shows the use of `kursieren` for currency, meaning it's in active use and exchange.
Gerüchte über eine bevorstehende Fusion `kursieren` seit Wochen.
Rumors about an upcoming merger have been circulating for weeks.
`Kursieren` fits well here to describe how unofficial information is spreading in business circles.
LOL, dieser Meme `kursiert` gerade überall auf Insta!
LOL, this meme is currently circulating everywhere on Insta!
Modern usage for viral content spreading rapidly online.
Ich habe gehört, dass die Firma bald Leute entlässt. Das `kursiert` im Büro.
I heard the company is laying off people soon. That's circulating around the office.
Informal context for office gossip or unofficial news.
Ich habe vernommen, dass es in Ihrem Unternehmen eine offene Stelle gibt, die gerade `kursiert`.
I have heard that there is an open position in your company that is currently circulating.
Slightly more formal, but still fitting for conveying that information is known to be out there.
✗ Das neue Buch `kursiert` in der Bibliothek. → ✓ Das neue Buch `ist verfügbar` / `steht` in der Bibliothek.
✗ The new book circulates in the library. → ✓ The new book is available / is in the library.
`Kursieren` implies movement and spread, not just existence in a place.
✗ Meine Gedanken `kursieren` schnell. → ✓ Meine Gedanken `rasen` / `sind unruhig`.
✗ My thoughts circulate quickly. → ✓ My thoughts are racing / are restless.
Thoughts don't 'circulate' between people; they happen internally. Use verbs like `rasen` (to race) instead.
Der Witz über den Papst und den Touristen `kursiert` schon seit Jahren, aber er ist immer noch lustig!
The joke about the Pope and the tourist has been circulating for years, but it's still funny!
Adds a touch of humor by highlighting the longevity of a joke's circulation.
Es ist beunruhigend, wie schnell falsche Informationen über die Impfung `kursieren`.
It's worrying how quickly false information about the vaccination is circulating.
Used here to express concern about the spread of potentially harmful misinformation.
In diesem kleinen Dorf `kursieren` alte Legenden über den Berggeist.
In this small village, old legends about the mountain spirit circulate.
Perfect for storytelling in a travel context, adding local color.
Diese neue Tanz-Challenge `kursiert` auf TikTok wie verrückt.
This new dance challenge is circulating on TikTok like crazy.
Captures the rapid spread of online trends.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'kursieren'.
In der Firma _______ seit Wochen Gerüchte über eine Gehaltserhöhung.
'Gerüchte' is plural, so we need the plural form 'kursieren'.
In welchem Satz ist 'kursieren' RICHTIG verwendet?
Wählen Sie den korrekten Satz:
'Kursieren' is for information (jokes) and is intransitive.
Ordnen Sie die Substantive den passenden Kontexten zu.
Was kann kursieren?
Rumors and counterfeit money are the classic subjects for 'kursieren'. People and viruses use different verbs.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Hast du das Video schon gesehen? B: Nein, woher hast du das? A: Das _______ gerade in unserer WhatsApp-Gruppe.
'Kursiert' is the most sophisticated and accurate choice for media spreading in a group.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIn der Firma _______ seit Wochen Gerüchte über eine Gehaltserhöhung.
'Gerüchte' is plural, so we need the plural form 'kursieren'.
Wählen Sie den korrekten Satz:
'Kursieren' is for information (jokes) and is intransitive.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Rumors and counterfeit money are the classic subjects for 'kursieren'. People and viruses use different verbs.
A: Hast du das Video schon gesehen? B: Nein, woher hast du das? A: Das _______ gerade in unserer WhatsApp-Gruppe.
'Kursiert' is the most sophisticated and accurate choice for media spreading in a group.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsUsually no. For a virus, use 'umgehen' or 'sich ausbreiten'. You only use 'kursieren' for the *news* about the virus.
It is neutral to slightly formal. It's perfect for work or news, but a bit high-level for a casual chat with a best friend.
They are almost identical. 'Im Umlauf sein' is a bit more common for physical objects like money or flyers.
No, 'kursieren' is intransitive. You must say 'Ich verbreite ein Gerücht' or 'Ich lasse ein Gerücht kursieren'.
Both! 'In' is for places (in der Stadt), 'unter' is for groups of people (unter den Kollegen).
Related Phrases
im Umlauf sein
synonymto be in circulation
die Runde machen
similarto do the rounds
sich verbreiten
similarto spread
umgehen
similarto go around
kolportieren
specialized formto spread rumors intentionally
